Location Matters

LEVERAGING LOCATIONAL DETAIL FOR BETTER PROJECT OUTCOMES

by Serdar Yurtseven

Location-oriented project management (LOPM) is a project management methodology that takes into account the locational details of a project during planning, execution, and monitoring phases. This approach considers the geographic information of a project to optimize the allocation of resources, minimize risks, and maximize efficiency.

The use of LOPM is particularly important in projects that have a physical location, such as construction, mining, maintenance, renovation, restoration, oil and gas, energy, healthcare, and agriculture. By analyzing locational data, project managers can optimize their personnel, asset, and material requirements and complete projects more efficiently.

There are several key benefits of using LOPM for project management. These include:

Better resource allocation: Knowing the locational details of a project enables project managers to rationally plan their resources of time, budget, human power, asset, and materials. LOPM allows project managers to optimize their personnel, asset, and material requirements, resulting in better resource allocation.

More efficient use of time: LOPM enables project managers to use their time resource more efficiently and helps them complete projects on time or even earlier. By analyzing locational data, project managers can identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies in resource usage, and optimize resource allocation to ensure that projects are completed efficiently and within budget.

Cost savings: Location affects project cost. Ignoring the spatial details of cost planning and spending puts the completion of a project at risk with the allocated budget. By analyzing locational data, project managers can identify cost-saving opportunities, such as sourcing materials from a different location to avoid supply chain disruptions or choosing a different construction site to avoid environmental hazards.

More effective risk management: LOPM enables project managers to define risks and problems promptly and geographically and allows them to take necessary precautions accordingly. By analyzing locational data, project managers can identify potential risks associated with a particular location, such as environmental risks, regulatory risks, or security risks. They can then take necessary precautions to mitigate these risks and avoid potential problems.

Better decision-making: LOPM enables project managers to make more informed decisions by taking into account the locational details of a project. By analyzing locational data, project managers can identify potential opportunities and challenges associated with a particular location and make decisions accordingly.

In addition to these benefits, LOPM can also help project managers to improve communication and collaboration among project stakeholders. By visualizing project information on a map, project managers can provide a common platform for all stakeholders to view and understand the project information.

Overall, location-oriented project management is a powerful tool for project managers to optimize resource allocation, complete projects more efficiently, and reduce costs and risks associated with a project. By leveraging LOPM, project managers can make more informed decisions, improve communication and collaboration, and ensure the success of their projects.